General Plumbing Tips

What is the difference between hard water and soft water?

Hard water is a type of water that has a high mineral content. Clothes washed in hard water often look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy.

What is the difference between PVC and CPVC plastic pipe?

PVC is for cold water only. That is why it usually is used as a drain pipe. CPVC can be used on hot and cold lines.

What can I do about the build up of the white substance around my shower head?

The white substance is a build up of mineral deposits. An easy home remedy that you can use to remove the mineral deposits from the showerhead is to take she shower head off and submerge it in a bowl of vinegar. Leave it over night and then the next day scrub it with a brush. Take this opportunity to replace the pipe tape before you replace your shower head back on. This is a good way to maintain your residential plumbing or your shower plumbing.

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I have a leaky faucet, how can I fix it?

It all depends on where the faucet is leaking from, the handle or the spout. If it is leaking from the spout then you will have to replace the washer. Also if the seat is corroded, you will have to replace it or dress it. If it is leaking from the handle you will have to tighten the packing nut or replace the packing, Or you may need to replace the O-rings. These plumbing supplies are available in most hardware stores to complete your faucet repair.

There is water leaking from around the base of my toilet, what can I do to solve this bathroom plumbing problem or toilet repair?

You need to remove the toilet and install a new wax ring. While you have the toilet off, you should go ahead and replace the bolts before your toilet installation. This toilet repair should take care of the toilet leak.

I just remodeled my bathroom and now have a leaking toilet after I put a new wax ring. Why is that?

The space between the flange and the bottom of the toilet may be too much. This is common if you recently did bathroom remodeling and may have raised the height of the floor. There are a few things you can do to fix it, either adjust your toilet plumbing by raising the flange and drain or use a double wax ring or a ring with a plastic sleeve. This should take care of the toilet leak and toilet repair.

What should I do about the plumbing in my house making groaning and thumping noises?

The most likely cause for this is that your pipes lost its "air cushion", so you should not need any pipe repair. In order to get it back, simply turn your main valve off. Open all the faucets around your home, and then turn on the main valve again and shut off each faucet. This should take care of the plumbing problem.

My garbage disposal doesn't work and just makes a buzzing sound what can I do?

First turn it off and unplug it. Most likely it's jammed with something. Most disposals have a fitting for an alan wrench underneath to manually jar it loose. Feel for it and use the wrench.